Individual Fish Description Page

This page will give a completely detailed profile of the selected fish, from A to Z. The profiled fish will be chosen randomly by Badman, and will come from the complete genre of tropical fish. I will try to update the profile on a monthly basis. If you have a specific fish you want profiled please vote for it in the favorite fish poll on the main index page. Please don't forget to let us know you experiences with this fish by filling out the form on the main profile page.

Photo from: "Tropical freshwater fish" by, David Alderton.

Overview:

Probably the first aquarium fish from "down under" seen in the states. The Dwarf Rainbow is not a show stopper, but still deserves a place in any community aquarium.

Quick stats:

size:	Up to 2.5 inches
tank:	36 inches
strata:	Middle, top
pH:	5.5 to 7.5
Hardness:	Medium to hard
temperature:	72o to 82o f

Classification:

Order:	Atheriniformes
Sub-order:	Atherinoidei
Family:	Melanotaenia
Genera:	Melanotaenia

Dwarf Rainbowfish, McCulloch's Rainbow

Northeastern Australia, York peninsula and Southern Papua New Guinea.

The overall first look is a moderately slender stretched out fish. It has two Dorsal fins, the first being small and the second one is set back on the top of the body. The Anal fin starts in the middle of the underside. The rear corners of the Anal and second Dorsal are rounded and separated by a large gap from the heavily forked Caudal fin.

The coloration of the Rainbow depends on its sex. In the male the sides are a Greenish color with hints of Gold iridescence. At spawning time the sides can take on a Red hue. The gill covers also have this shimmering Green coloration, with a red dot and edged in Gold. The throat and underside are a dark Red in color and the top is a rather dull Brown. Seven Dark brown To Red stripes run down the length of the body with rows of pearly White scales in between them. The Dorsal and Anal fins are green at the base which blends into a Red hue. The caudal is also Red which also blends into clear at the ends. The female is similar, but the body and fins are paler in coloration. Not a stunning fish, but the more you look at it the more beautiful it becomes.

An easy fish to care for the tank should be as large as possible. In a well planted tank with open space swim the Dwarf Rainbow will be undemanding and happy. All kinds of food are accepted from flake to live. They are a schooling fish and should be kept in groups, being peaceful they can be housed with other community type fish. Provide good filtration with a gentile current. water on the acid side is best but they will adapt to other conditions.

Slow flowing rivers of Northern Australia with vegetation mixed with open areas.

Daintree river, Queensland
photo by "Margaret in cyberspace"

The fish are sexually mature when about one inch in size. If properly conditioned with live food and pristine water the fish will spawn. The eggs are usually laid in the morning and are scattered in fine leafed vegetation. At home Java moss or spawning mops can be used. The eggs hang from the vegetation from shot filaments. The process can last several days and hundreds of eggs can be laid. At 77 degrees F. the eggs will hatch in eight to ten days. The eggs can be light sensitive and should be kept in a darkened aquarium. The fry at first will not swim for a day or two. Feed them very finely crushed flake food or live foods. The parents will not bother the eggs and they may be left in the spawning tank.

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